Schools advised to reintroduce mask wearing

Watch: ITV News Meridian's Carolyn Sim reports.

Schools across the Thames Valley are being advised to reintroduce mask wearing amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Wokingham Borough Council has written to schools asking them to consider making it compulsory for pupils to wear masks in classrooms and communal areas.

Across the region, positive cases cases among young people have risen significantly since schools went back.

A number of councils have advised schools to reintroduce the measures until the October half-term break.

But Wokingham Borough Council says schools may need to keep the measures in place for longer.

Watch: Cllr Graham Howe, Executive Member for Children's Services, Wokingham Borough Council

There were 157 new cases of Coronavirus reported in Wokingham yesterday (19th October), compared to 50 new cases reported on the 7th October.

On average, there are now 681 infections of Covid-19 per 100 thousand people - up from 341 just two weeks ago.

In comparison, the average number of infections per 100 thousand people in England stands at 472 (data from 19th October). Which means Wokingham is now above the national average.